Protective lingerie case

ABSTRACT

A foldable, rectangular, protective lingerie case with internal coupleable and removable protuberances, that is resistant to pressure. The protective lingerie case is semiflexible, foldable and manufactured in fabrics or leathers with polypropylene reinforcement and foam layers on all four sides and on the upper lid. It stores, transports, protects and conserves the shape of lingerie, especially of brassieres, in closed and narrow spaces, ensuring that the initial shape of thermoformed brassieres is kept intact. The protective lingerie case safeguards the bra&#39;s function and use features by avoiding deformation of the stored garment and guaranteeing its durability and design.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to ColombianPatent Application No. 07-032940 filed on Apr. 2, 2007. Colombian PatentApplication No. 07-032940 is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a collapsible case or packaging withinternal removable couplings, pockets and structural reinforcementsintended to store and transport lingerie, protecting their shape,especially brassieres, ensuring that their initial shape is kept intactand maintaining their function and use features by avoiding deformation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern brassieres make wide use of thermoformed cups, the concave shapeof which must be carefully protected so as not to affect their curvatureand thus always give the bust perfect roundness.

Lingerie companies invest great amounts of money annually in researchingnew technologies to produce innovative designs of totally thermoformedand seamless brassieres. These designs have already been introduced onthe market and have received great acceptance for their comfort, shapingof the bust, quality of material, texture and, especially, for the“look” they provide.

Thermoformed products tend to become deformed to a certain degree whenexposed to factors that act against the shape they were given with heatduring their manufacture. In the case of brassieres, the slightestindentation in the cups generates a distortion in the bust that is notattractive. Although the material used to make the cups has an excellentresistance to folds, after several hours in the same position, as may bethe case of a brassiere in a traveling bag, the damage may beirreversible.

Despite the fact that great amounts of money are invested annually indeveloping new technologies to create brassieres, up to now the advanceshave been minimal in finding a way to care for and maintain the shape ofthis important garment during storage and transportation.

Today you can find plastic folding boxes designed to organize brassieresmore easily in drawers. However, the advances have been minimal inrespect of transportation of brassieres.

Other known packages consist of cups made of clear rigid acetate,mirroring a brassiere's shape, and which store brassieres upon beingclosed with a lower lid where the lid is fitted to the packaging bypressure. However, despite its great volume, this packaging allows forthe storage of only two or three brassieres at the same time before thepackage lid opens from the pressure of the brassieres. When putting thispackaging into luggage together with other clothing and other personalobjects, the slightest movement to accommodate everything in the bagmakes the packaging lid open unintentionally and, therefore, thebrassieres come out and are left unprotected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves significant problems in the art byproviding protective lingerie case or packaging. The protectivepackaging is an innovative packaging for underwear, especially forbrassieres, designed to protect their shape should they have to bestored in places that are narrow enough to cause defects in the cups dueto the pressure of adjacent objects. The protective lingerie packagingcan also be used to simply store brassieres in the closet in a practicaland safe way that maintains their esthetics.

The protective lingerie packaging of the present invention solves thestorage and transportation problems and makes it possible to keep thebrassieres in closed and narrow spaces without deforming theirthermoformed cups, by using internal removable couplings and structuralreinforcements on its sides to maintain their function and use features,guaranteeing their durability and design.

One embodiment of the present invention is a case to protect intimateapparel comprising: side walls and a top lid composed of structuralreinforcement layers that resist pressure and are foldable andsemi-flexible; a cushioning layer on the inside of said side walls andsaid top lid; a bottom side that does not contain structuralreinforcement and includes a zipper that allows the case to be collapsedinto a single plane. The case transports, protects and conserves theshape of the intimate apparel, namely, brassieres made out ofthermoformed foam, by avoiding the deformation of the intimate apparelduring transportation or storage while retaining the ability to becollapsed.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a case fortransporting or storing intimate apparel comprising: side walls and atop lid with a structural reinforcement layer that prevents the sidewalls and top lid from being compressed while retaining the ability ofthe case to be collapsed; a bottom side that does not contain structuralreinforcement and includes a zipper diagonally from one corner to theother of said bottom side that allows the case to be collapsed into asingle plane when unzipped; and a cushioning layer on the inside of saidside walls, said top lid and said bottom side.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a case fortransporting or storing intimate apparel comprising: side walls and atop lid with a plastic structural reinforcement layer that prevents theside walls and top lid from being compressed while retaining the abilityof the case to be collapsed; a bottom side that does not containstructural reinforcement and includes a zipper diagonally from onecorner to the other of said bottom side that allows the case to becollapsed into a single plane when unzipped; a cushioning layer on theinside of said side walls, said top lid and said bottom side; removablefoam protuberances attachable to said at least one side wall; andoptionally, at least one pocket attachable to said at least one sidewall. The case may also include an insert panel added to the bottom ofthe case for additional support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the protective lingerie case in an opened positionwith a bra placed inside.

FIG. 2 is a view of the protective lingerie case without a bra insidewith two internal protuberances.

FIG. 3 is a view of the protective lingerie case and the attachmentmechanism for the two internal protuberances.

FIG. 4 shows the optional protuberances.

FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the packaging showing the hidden zipper onthe bottom of the case.

FIG. 6 shows the composition of the layers of material of the case.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the lingerie case in a closed position.

FIG. 8 is a back view of the lingerie case in a closed position.

FIG. 9 is a view of the protective lingerie case showing an embodimentthat includes pockets on the back wall.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lingerie case with the lid removedshowing the support panel and attachment means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the invention is susceptible of several embodiments, there isshown in the drawings, specific embodiments thereof, with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit theinvention to the specific embodiments shown.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, in which like numeralsindicate like elements throughout the several views, shown is theprotective lingerie case 8 which is resistant to pressure. Theprotective lingerie case 8 is a rectangular, semiflexible, folding casemanufactured of fabrics or leathers on the outer layer 23 withpolypropylene reinforcement 21 and a layer of cushioned material 22,such as foam, on the lateral sides 11 and 13, on the front side 12, onthe back side 14 and on the top lid 10. The lateral sides 11, front side12 and back side 14 are collectively referred to as side walls. To openand close the protective lingerie case 8, a standard zipper 9 is usedaround the lateral sides 11 and 13 and the front part 12 of theprotective lingerie case 8.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the interior of one embodiment of theprotective lingerie case 8 provided are two removable coupleableprotuberances 15 in the shape of two half-spheres, made of high densityfoam. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, these protuberances 15 simulate theshape of the bust and act as a support for the cups 16 of one or severalpacked brassieres when the protective lingerie case 8 is exposed topressure from an outside force. The internal protuberances 15 in theshape of two half-spheres are adhered to the interior of the protectivelingerie case 8 by means of a coupling mechanism 17 located on the flatpart of the protuberances 15 and on the back side 14 of the protectivelingerie case 8. The coupling mechanism 17 may be VELCRO® or a button,allowing for the removal and replacement of the coupleable protuberances15, or other mechanism such as snaps, well known to persons skilled inthe relevant art.

As shown in FIG. 5, to be able to make the protective lingerie case 8foldable, the bottom 18 is the only side that is not reinforced withpolypropylene 21, and it has an invisible or hidden zipper 19 thattravels across the bottom 18 diagonally from one corner to the other.While the hidden zipper 19 is closed as observed in FIG. 5, theprotective lingerie case 8 maintains its structural rectangular shape,but as the hidden zipper 19 is opened, the protective lingerie case 8can be collapsed into a single plane.

Should there be a desire to fold the protective lingerie case 8, thehalf-sphere protuberances 15 must be removed and the coupling mechanism17 makes it possible to fasten and unfasten the protuberances 15 anunlimited number of times.

FIG. 6 shows the protective lingerie case 8, which is made up of twolayers of fabric or leather composing an inner layer 20 and an outerlayer 23. Between the layers of material there are a polypropylenereinforcement 21 and a cushioned material 22. This composition makes thebra protection firm to avoid deformation of the bra and soft to preventwear and tear of the protected garment. Although polypropylene is usedin the disclosed embodiment, other similar materials can be used forthis purpose, such as various plastics, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylics, silicones, orpolyurethanes.

As shown in FIG. 7, the protective lingerie case 8 can store, transportand guarantee the shape of brassieres placed inside of it; and it canstore as many brassieres as desired, depending on the extension of thelateral sides 11 and 13 and the front side 12. The protective lingeriecase 8 is a product that is sufficiently resistant and practical to packbrassieres for traveling, and it features esthetic characteristics ofhardness and softness that offer a feminine, sexy and elegant touch.

FIG. 8 is a back view of the protective lingerie case 8. The back 14,top 10, and lateral sides 11 are shown with the top 10 in the closedposition. The zipper 9 is shown closed, which secures the contents ofthe lingerie case 8.

FIG. 9 is a view of an alternate embodiment the protective lingerie case8 that includes pockets 24 on the internal back side 14 of the case. Thepockets 24 can be used to hold a variety of lingerie, including,underwear, removable bra straps, and other various items. The pockets 24can be removable. Optionally, the pockets 24 can be permanently affixedto the back side 14 of the protective lingerie case 8. In an alternativeembodiment, the pockets 24 can be designed to receive and secureprotuberances 15. Also shown in FIG. 9 is the zipper 9, the lateralwalls 11, and the top 10. There is an optional insert panel 25 which canbe inserted into the bottom of the protective lingerie case 18 toprovide additional protection and support. As shown in FIG. 10, theprotective lingerie case 8 may optionally contain attachment means 26for securing the insert panel 25 to the bottom of the lingerie case 8.

Accordingly, it will be understood that the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention has been disclosed by way of example and that othermodifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

1. A case to protect intimate apparel comprising: side walls and a toplid composed of structural reinforcement layers that resist pressure andare foldable and semi-flexible; a cushioning layer on the inside of saidside walls and said top lid; a bottom side that does not containstructural reinforcement and includes a zipper that allows the case tobe collapsed into a single plane; and wherein the case transports,protects and conserves the shape of a brassiere by protecting againstthe deformation of the brassiere during transportation or storage whileretaining the ability to be collapsed.
 2. The case of claim 1, whereinsaid structural reinforcement layers are polypropylene.
 3. The case ofclaim 1, further including foam protuberances that substantially conformto the shape of the brassiere.
 4. The case of claim 3, wherein said foamprotuberances are shaped like two half spheres and which are removableand replaceable.
 5. The case of claim 3, wherein the foam protuberancesadhere to the internal side walls of said case from their flat side. 6.The case of claim 1, wherein said case is composed of a combination offabric, leather, polypropylene and a cushioning material.
 7. The case ofclaim 1, wherein one or more brassieres can be stored therein.
 8. Thecase of claim 3, wherein the foam protuberances are composed of highdensity foam.
 9. The case of claim 1, wherein said zipper is hidden andruns diagonally from one corner to the other of said bottom sideallowing said case to be collapsible and fold flat when said zipper isopen.
 10. The case of claim 3, wherein the foam protuberances adhere tothe case with hook and loop fastening material or buttons.
 11. The caseof claim 3, wherein the foam protuberances act as support to one or morebrassieres to resist external pressure from outside of the case.
 12. Thecase of claim 1, further including storage pockets on at least one ofsaid side walls.
 13. A case for transporting or storing intimate apparelcomprising: side walls and a top lid with a structural reinforcementlayer that prevents the side walls and top lid from being compressedwhile retaining the ability of the case to be collapsed; a bottom sidethat does not contain structural reinforcement and includes a zipperdiagonally from one corner to the other of said bottom side that allowsthe case to be collapsed into a single plane when unzipped; and acushioning layer on the inside of said side walls, said top lid and saidbottom side.
 14. The case of claim 13, further including removable foamprotuberances for maintaining the shape of a brassiere.
 15. The case ofclaim 13, further including storage pockets on at least one of said sidewalls.
 16. The case of claim 13, wherein said structural reinforcementlayer is polypropylene.
 17. The case of claim 13, further including aremovable reinforcement panel attachable to said bottom side.
 18. A casefor transporting or storing intimate apparel comprising: side walls anda top lid with a plastic structural reinforcement layer that preventsthe side walls and top lid from being compressed while retaining theability of the case to be collapsed; a bottom side that does not containstructural reinforcement and includes a zipper diagonally from onecorner to the other of said bottom side that allows the case to becollapsed into a single plane when unzipped; a cushioning layer on theinside of said side walls, said top lid and said bottom side; removablefoam protuberances attachable to said at least one side wall and atleast one storage pocket attachable to said at least one side wall. 19.The case of claim 18, wherein said plastic structural reinforcementlayer is polypropylene.
 20. The case of claim 18, further including aremovable reinforcement panel attachable to said bottom side.